GANGTOK, (IPR): Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay flagged off thirteen
fire tenders here at Ridge Park, Gangtok today.
The
ceremony was attended by chief secretary R Telang, DGP Akshay Sachdeva, Land
Revenue & Disaster Management secretary Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, and Fire
Services director Khilbarna Gurung. Additionally, senior officials and staff
members from both the Sikkim Police and the Government of Sikkim attended the
ceremony.
In
his address, the Chief Minister congratulated the Fire Services department on
the recent acquisition of 13 new fire tenders for its fleet. He emphasised that
crime rates tend to decrease in areas where the police force is active and
adequately empowered, highlighting that police work predominantly involves
field operations. Consequently, he called for increased participation from
senior officials in these essential activities.
The
Chief Minister expressed his aspiration for the Director General of Police
(DGP) and his team to work towards achieving the highest standards of law and order
in India, assuring them of comprehensive support from the government. To
enhance the operational efficiency of the Police department, he announced the
establishment of two new funding initiatives: the Special Investigation Fund
and the Special Traffic Management Fund.
Additionally,
he articulated his hopes that, under the leadership of the newly appointed DGP,
the Police department would attain greater accomplishments and continuously
pursue excellence in policing practices. He proposed that the Sikkim Police
football team serve as the State representative during the Golden Jubilee
celebrations and committed to providing additional funds for this purpose.
Furthermore, he recommended the hiring of a technical team to oversee the
football team, permitting players to participate solely in prestigious
tournaments.
The
Chief Minister also noted that the procurement of the fire tenders was made
possible through a collaborative funding initiative involving the National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and
the 15th Finance Commission. He concluded his address by expressing his desire
for the Fire Services wing to enhance public service during emergencies and
reaffirmed that the Police department serves as the backbone of society,
encouraging them to work diligently for the benefit of the state.
Akshay
Sachdeva, the Director General of Police, emphasised in his address the
significance of the addition of thirteen new fire tenders to the department's
fleet, which had become out-dated. He commended the department for its
exemplary efforts in managing fire emergencies and its critical role during
natural disasters.
In
his remarks, he highlighted the need for the fire department to maintain a
proactive stance and noted that ongoing initiatives are in place to enhance
operational capabilities. The department is actively engaged in regular
training programs that incorporate modern techniques to achieve these
objectives. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the support
extended to the department.
Sachdeva
announced the construction of two new fire stations, one in Jalipool and
another in Meli, to further improve fire service accessibility in Sikkim. He
concluded by stating that the Fire Services department has the potential to
serve as an invaluable asset to the community and affirmed the department's
commitment to this objective.
The
programme featured a drill demonstration conducted by the Fire and SDRF
personnel, as well as a presentation of the fire anthem, which has been updated
by the current DGP to reflect the local context. Following a ceremonial
religious observance, the 13 fire tenders were officially commissioned.
Earlier
the welcome address and a brief technical report were presented by Khilbarna
Gurung, director of Fire Services, while Indra Kumar Rai, additional chief fire
officer, delivered the vote of thanks.
